Cottonseed Glut Cuts Into Both Gin and Grower Budget

The cotton industry is watching budget negotiations in Congress closely. Both the House and the Senate appropriations bills included cotton changes in its proposed bills; however, the text didn’t make the cut in the short-term bill.

Now, producers hope cotton-friendly policies get included in the next budget plan which has a fast approaching deadline of December 22, and would avoid a government shutdown.

Price is weighing on producers this year and a glut of cottonseed might be to blame. USDA says roughly 1.4 million more tons of cottonseed was produced in 2017 compared to last year. Some gins have to charge farmers extra and deduct a couple of cents a pound.

AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben visited Hoke Robeson Gin in Red Springs, North Carolina. She visited with Edgar Edens with the gin.

She also spoke with Ashley Arrington, founder of Agri Authority and John Payne with Daniels Trading to get their perspectives, as well.